getting from Edinburgh airport to the city center

Would you mind telling us your hotel. It's location will help to determine the best way to get there.

Thank you - we’re staying at Motel One on Princes St. - near the train station.

We took the tram--it was super easy. Check to see if there is a stop near your hotel. Purchase tickets on the platform right before you get to the tram.

In that case I suggest the tram, alight at St Andrew Square.

The St Andrew Square tram stop is just up the street. The airink bus terminus is a little bit closer (by 100 yards or so) in a different direction, a block and a half away along Princes Street, in South St David Street

Thank you- is it fairly easy to find the tram station at the airport once we clear customs?

Yes, follow everyone else essentially straight ahead out of the airport exit door.

The buses are straight in front of you, and the trams immediately to your left. There are ticket machines and staff at the end of the tram platforms, and a model tram straight in front which is an information kiosk and a waiting room- not that a waiting room is needed as there is almost always a tram there waiting for departure. There are normally staff at the bus stop as well.

It is as easy and seamless as it gets.

I took the tram to and from the airport last year and it was super easy. When you exit the airport, turn to the left and follow the signs for the tram.

I suggest buying your ticket ahead of time as there was a long line when I was there. If you are returning from Edinburgh as well, you can buy an open return ticket.

Details here (Look for Adult Airport Open Return OR just Adult Airport Single):

https://edinburghtrams.com/tickets/ticket-options

and you can purchase here:

https://tickets.edinburghtrams.com/tickets

The airink bus terminus is a little bit closer (by 100 yards or so) in
a different direction, a block and a half away along Princes Street,
in South St David Street

True, but the walk from the bus stop to Princes street is uphill, from St Andrew square it's downhill. Which can be nice if you're coming from the airport with luggage. At least in my opinion and why I suggested the tram, but others might have a different opinion and prefer the slightly short distance. And unless it has changed since the last time I was in Edinburgh, the bus is a tad cheaper.

thanks everyone for your helpful comments!

I actually thought I had been studiously and very carefully neutral on the eternal debate of bus vs tram, and had carefully avoided the pitfall of prices. I even deliberately didn't mention the cheapest option of the McGills/Bright bus alternative from the airport.

Badger may be remembering when the Airport Bus terminated on Waverley Bridge (which Bright Bus does now). Currently it is a downhill walk from the 'new' Lothian stop to Princes Street.

Badger may be remembering when the Airport Bus terminated on Waverley
Bridge (which Bright Bus does now). Currently it is a downhill walk
from the 'new' Lothian stop to Princes Street.

I do remember that! And while I've never seen a reason to question your excellent advice, especially about the UK, I actually have to ask if you are sure that the buses from the airport don't stop at Waverley Bridge? I thought they did? https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2024/06/airlink-100-moving-to-waverley-bridge/

My vote for the tram.

It will be easy to find at the airport because the airport terminal is not that big. There are signs.

I was there a few weeks ago.

The buses have been at South David Street for many years now, but have temporarily, it seems, moved back to Waverley Bridge.
By the way Google Maps have not yet caught up with that - a very rare error by them.
However the buses are also setting down in Hanover Street, a further block west from S David Street. That stop is also a downhill walk to Princes Street.

As this has evolved into more detail than expected it has not been mentioned that Scottish City link also now run twice an hour from the airport to Edinburgh Bus Station. They are the cheapest option at £4.60 each way. That started in May on the 902 and 909 services. I didn't know that until I was in Edinburgh a few weeks ago.

Thanks for the additional information!

And the important thing to learn from this discussion is probably that the tram and bus are both good options.

Thanks to everyone again for the replies - we will probably go with the tram as it sounds pretty easy and close to our hotel. The morning after we arrive we are doing an Outlander tour that meets at the bus station so I’m glad to hear that’s close to the hotel also - sounds like Motel One will be very convenient for the couple of days we’re in Edinburgh.